Utah Ordinances (2026)

Utah Code 10-9a-530 requires municipalities to allow internal accessory dwelling units in owner-occupied single-family homes. Cities cannot ban internal ADUs but may regulate parking, design, and registration. The 2021 law substantially preempts local prohibitions on ancillary in-home rentals.

Utah has adopted the International Residential Code through the Uniform Building Code Act. Detached one-story accessory structures used as sheds and not exceeding 200 square feet are exempt from state building permit requirements, though local zoning setbacks still apply.

Utah regulates tiny homes through the State Construction Code. Tiny homes on permanent foundations must meet the IRC including Appendix Q for dwellings under 400 square feet. Tiny homes on wheels are classified as recreational vehicles or park models with separate standards.

Utah's Agriculture Protection Areas and Right to Farm statutes shield qualifying agricultural operations from local nuisance restrictions. Cities retain zoning authority over residential chickens, but Utah law universally protects established farms and limits municipal restrictions on noncommercial poultry in agricultural zones.

Utah law sets statewide rabies vaccination requirements and authorizes counties and municipalities to enforce leash and at-large rules. While leash specifics are local, Utah Code mandates dog licensing, vaccination, and quarantine procedures that uniformly apply to all dog owners.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources classifies wildlife as prohibited, controlled, or noncontrolled, requiring Certificates of Registration for many exotic species statewide. This regulatory framework preempts local rules and applies uniformly to private possession of nondomestic animals.

Utah law prohibits feeding big game such as deer and elk in many circumstances and bans baiting wildlife for hunting. These rules apply statewide through Division of Wildlife Resources regulations and supersede any local permission to feed wild animals.

Utah caps the number of Medical Cannabis Pharmacies statewide and sets minimum siting standards. Cities may impose additional zoning, but cannot prohibit licensed pharmacies through outright bans inconsistent with state limits.

Utah law strictly prohibits home cultivation of cannabis, including by registered medical cannabis patients. All medical cannabis must be purchased from state-licensed pharmacies, and unauthorized cultivation remains a felony under the Utah Controlled Substances Act.

Commercial drone use in Utah is governed primarily by FAA Part 107 with Utah's UAS preemption statute limiting local interference. State law adds restrictions for emergencies, wildfires, and correctional facilities applicable to all operators.

Utah expressly preempts local regulation of unmanned aircraft systems, reserving authority to the state and federal governments. Recreational drone operators must follow FAA rules and Utah-specific restrictions on emergency scenes and wildfires.

Utah Title 34 Chapter 40 establishes the state minimum wage and preempts local governments from enacting their own minimum wage ordinances.

Utah preempts local paid leave mandates through employment regulation provisions, leaving private-sector leave benefits to employer discretion or state law.

Utah preempts local predictive scheduling and fair workweek ordinances by reserving employment scheduling regulation to the state Legislature.

Utah enables municipalities to regulate flood-prone areas under state planning law, but state participation in the National Flood Insurance Program imposes baseline floodplain construction standards on every Utah community that participates.

Utah Division of Water Quality administers federally delegated NPDES stormwater permits under the Utah Water Quality Act, requiring construction and industrial dischargers statewide to obtain coverage and implement pollution prevention plans.

Utah adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code statewide under Utah Code Title 15A. Residential pools must have barriers at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Local cities may impose stricter rules but cannot weaken state standards.

Utah Code 11-3-8 and 53-7-225 set uniform statewide rules on when class C consumer fireworks may be discharged, restricting use to specific holiday windows and hours, while permitting local fire-hazard restrictions in mapped areas only.

Utah Code 65A-8-211 establishes a statewide closed fire season from June 1 through October 31, requiring written burn permits from the state forester or designee for any open burning, with red-flag warnings automatically suspending permits.

Utah Code 53-7-301 et seq. and Utah Administrative Rule R710-6 give the State Fire Marshal exclusive authority over liquefied petroleum gas, adopting NFPA 58 statewide for tank installation, storage, certification, and operator licensing.

Utah Code Title 65A, Chapter 8 grants the state forester authority over wildfire prevention statewide, including closed fire season declarations, restricted fire areas, and the Wildland Urban Interface program coordinating municipal mitigation standards.

Utah recognizes both a concealed firearm permit under Title 53 Chapter 5 and permitless concealed carry for qualifying adults statewide, preempting local restrictions.

Utah Code 53-5a-102 broadly preempts local firearm regulation, reserving authority to the Legislature with limited exceptions for state property and government buildings.

Utah generally allows open carry of firearms by adults who may lawfully possess them, with local regulation preempted by Utah Code 53-5a-102.

Utah Code 76-10-505 and related sections govern carrying firearms in vehicles, allowing loaded carry by qualifying adults under permitless carry while preempting local rules.

Utah's mobile food vendor reciprocity law (Utah Code 11-56) requires municipalities to recognize valid permits from other Utah cities, eliminating duplicate licensing. The Department of Agriculture and Food regulates food safety statewide, creating uniform inspection standards.

Utah's Home Consumption and Homemade Food Act allows producers to sell most homemade foods directly to informed end consumers without licensing or inspection, preempting local restrictions on registered cottage food sales.

Utah requires state licensure or certification for residential child care above set thresholds, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, with statewide standards that local zoning cannot override for licensed family providers.

Utah Code 63G-12-301 and following sections require private employers with 15 or more employees to use a status verification system such as E-Verify for new hires.

Utah Code 17-22-9.5 requires county sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, effectively preempting sanctuary policies through HB 497 enforcement provisions.

Utah Code 73-3-1.5 universally permits limited rainwater capture statewide. Homeowners may collect up to 2,500 gallons in covered storage without registration, while underground storage and amounts up to 2,500 gallons require free registration with the Utah Division of Water Rights.

Utah water rights are administered by the State Engineer under prior appropriation. During declared droughts, the Governor and Division of Water Resources may impose statewide conservation measures, while secondary water suppliers must meter connections under recent legislation requiring reduced outdoor use.

Aircraft noise in Utah is regulated almost entirely by the Federal Aviation Administration under federal law. Utah Code Title 72 Chapter 10 (Aeronautics Act) recognizes federal supremacy, and municipalities cannot impose flight-path or in-air noise limits.

Utah Code Title 41, Chapter 6a, Part 14 establishes uniform statewide procedures for impounding, noticing, and disposing of abandoned vehicles, with the Motor Vehicle Division managing title transfer through the Utah impound process.

Utah law restricts homeowners associations from prohibiting EV charging stations on owner-controlled property and sets state policy for public EV charging infrastructure investments through the Department of Transportation.

Utah does not require just-cause for eviction and uses a streamlined unlawful detainer process under Title 78B Chapter 6 Part 8. Landlords may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 15 days notice for any lawful reason, and three-day notices apply for nonpayment.

Utah Code 10-8-85.5 and 17-50-336 expressly prohibit cities and counties from enacting any ordinance that controls rents charged on private residential property. Rent control is universally banned across Utah, with no exceptions for emergency or affordability initiatives.

Utah law supports agricultural zoning, greenbelt taxation, and Right to Farm protections that limit local restrictions on customary agricultural land uses.

Utah Code 78B-6-1101 protects established agricultural operations from nuisance lawsuits when surrounding land uses change toward residential development.

Utah Code 10-8-85.4 and 17-50-338 prohibit municipalities and counties from using listings on short-term rental websites alone to fine, prosecute, or punish owners for operating, restricting how local STR permit ordinances may be enforced.

Utah imposes a state-administered transient room tax framework under Title 59, Chapter 12, Part 3, applying to lodging rentals under 30 days. Counties may levy up to 4.25% county TRT plus optional municipal taxes collected by the state.

Utah Code Title 20A Chapter 17 governs political campaign signs statewide. Municipalities may impose only content-neutral, politically neutral restrictions, and may not bar political signs on private residential property based on viewpoint or message.

Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local governments from regulating auxiliary containers including plastic bags, foam containers, and similar packaging items.

Utah Code 11-39-110 prevents local bans on polystyrene foam food containers by classifying them as preempted auxiliary containers under state law.

Utah Code 11-39-110 preempts local regulation of plastic straws and similar single-use service items as auxiliary containers under state law.

Utah Code 57-8a-801 and related provisions prohibit homeowner associations from unreasonably restricting solar energy systems. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic guidelines but cannot effectively prevent installation of solar collectors on lots they govern.

Utah's State Construction Code adopts uniform electrical and structural standards for rooftop solar installations. The Utah Solar Access Act limits unreasonable local restrictions, and the Public Service Commission governs net metering under Utah Code Title 54.

Utah Code Title 13, Chapter 22 (Charitable Solicitations Act) requires charitable organizations and professional fundraisers soliciting in Utah to register with the state, with administration transitioning to the Division of Corporations effective January 1, 2025.

Utah's adoption of the International Residential Code and ISPSC mandates four-foot pool barriers, self-closing self-latching gates, and approved alarms statewide. These minimum safety standards preempt weaker local rules and apply to virtually all residential swimming pools.

Utah's adopted construction code applies the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code to all permanent residential and public spas. Hot tubs with locking covers may be exempt from barrier requirements; public spas follow R392-302 health rules statewide.

Utah State Construction Code adopts the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, requiring building permits for pool construction statewide. Local jurisdictions enforce, but the technical standards for pool construction, barriers, and inspection apply uniformly through Utah Code Title 15A.

Utah Administrative Rule R392-302 governs public swimming pool design, water quality, and safety statewide. These public-pool rules are enforced by local health departments under uniform Department of Health and Human Services standards that supersede inconsistent local ordinances.

Utah Code 76-10-104 prohibits sale, furnishing, or provision of tobacco and electronic cigarettes to anyone under 21 years of age statewide.

Utah restricts flavored electronic cigarette products outside specialty tobacco retailers, regulating where minors-prohibited flavored vapes may lawfully be sold.

Utah regulates vape retailers under Title 26B and Title 59, requiring licensing, age verification, and compliance with state nicotine and flavor restrictions.